Summer is here and it is a great time to get outdoors. We have all heard of sunbathing, but what about nature bathing?
“Shinrin-yoku” (forest bathing) was a term coined in Japan in 1982 by the government, to describe a form of therapy targeting city- dwellers. The therapy promoted total sensory immersion in a forest or natural environment for health and wellbeing.
Since the 1980s, there is a growing body of evidence to support the physiological and psychological benefits of connecting with nature.
Internationally, therapy programmes similar to those started in Japan continue to operate.
As a respiratory physiotherapist, encouraging people to exercise is my bread and butter, but where they do that exercise may also be relevant.
A research study has found that a walk in a natural environment, results in a reduced stress response in the brain compared to a walk in a busy, urban environment.
In another study on elderly people with COPD, researchers found a short leisurely visit to a forest resulted in reduced inflammation and stress levels compared to visiting an urban area.
There are many ways you could bathe yourself in nature. Why not try and make one of the following ideas a regular habit? It could be your New Year’s resolution.
We are lucky in New Zealand to have good access to green spaces, even in urban settings. Get out there and enjoy them!
